Changing only the oil filter without replacing the oil

M

Mariah2323

Joined
Jan 14, 2025
Messages
1
A few weeks ago, I replaced the oil in my 2012 Cruze with Dexos 1 Version 3 but used a non-GM oil filter
I've only driven 500 to 600 miles since then. Is it okay to replace only the oil filter with a GM filter without changing the oil? If yes, what is the risk of contamination?
 
I swap the filter after 200-300 miles on a new car and I recently swapped filters after 1000 on a car I had piston soaked. There's no more risk of contamination than when doing a regular oil change.

As long as the filter you used is correct for that application and a decent brand I wouldn't worry about it not being a GM filter. The AC Delco filters aren't particularly high performance filters anyway.
 
And what non oem filter is this. Odds are it's fine to keep using or better. The standard ac delco filters are no different than orange can frams with their fiber caps, glued seams, and a plastic ore which I prefer over metal core for the most part.
 
If the non oem filter is a mainstream name brand (fram, wix, etc) then no real need to change it. If you want to change it simply because you want an AC Delco, that’s fine, but I don’t see a gain here. As stated above, just make sure you tip up as needed.
 
Yes you could change the filter (and top up the oil if necessary). Some people believe you should keep the oil at the full mark. I believe in keeping it between the full and low marks. That question is like religion, and it probably doesn't matter.

But why bother? Unless the filter that's on there has been damaged, you suspect it's an empty can masquerading as an oil filter, you found it on the street, or something like that it should be fine.

And welcome to "Bob" by the way.
 
Mariah2323 said:
A few weeks ago, I replaced the oil in my 2012 Cruze with Dexos 1 Version 3 but used a non-GM oil filter
I've only driven 500 to 600 miles since then. Is it okay to replace only the oil filter with a GM filter without changing the oil? If yes, what is the risk of contamination?
Click to expand...
What filter did you put on there and why are you so anxious to take it off? In the grand scheme of things whatever filter you have on the car right now won’t hurt a thing for just one interval.
 
A few previous threads on this somewhat popular topic:

skaughtz

Thread 'Can you change oil filter without draining oil?'

Potentially stupid question here: can you swap an oil filter without draining the oil from the pan?

I have a vertically mounted spin on filter on my 2007 Camry 2.4L. I am running HPL EC through it for 3000 miles and want to see what that filter caught from the HPL EC at the next change. However, before I swap the oil, I want to run a can of BG EPR through it. I figured I would sacrifice a PH3600 for the 20 minutes or so that the BG EPR is running through it both to see what it does on its own and to be safe from overloading the existing filter that might have caught junk from the HPL EC...
  • Wow
R

Thread 'Removing oil filter without changing oil.'

Is it possible to remove your oil filter and replace it without draining your oil? I want to do this because I might have a clogged or damaged filter. Will a lot of oil come out when you remove it considering the oil is still in my car which in my case would be about 5 quarts? I have a 93 ford taurus 3.8L V6 GL 4dr. sedan.
P

Thread 'Oil filter change with no oil change'

Hi BITOGers,

I have been touring this forum for a while now and registered just a while ago.

Since this is my first post, I thought it would be a good idea to start with a dumb question
blush.gif
.

I read in several posts something I have a hard time to understand: Changing the oil filters during an OCI.

How do you do that? will the oil flood when you remove the oil filter?

The only way I see that is to remove the oil, change the filter, and put the used oil in the engine.

Thanks for help me know more about engine and oil, this...
W

Thread 'Change oil but not filter?'

Say I go with an Amsoil filter Eao80 that's good for 25,000 miles... Would you guys say it's a good idea to change the oil every 7k miles or so and leave the same oil filter on? I could do an oil analysis but it would be the same cost as just changing the oil so I figure I might as well. That way I get a fresh sump too.
M

Thread 'Change oil and filter together or skip one or the other?'

I have read in my Honda manual that when the oil life monitor tells you to change oil (Service period A they call it), you do not necessarily change the filter at the same time. There is another message (Service period B) that calls for a change of oil AND filter. Service period "B" also has a list of other things besides the oil filter such as tire rotation, parking brake adjustments and a bunch of other stuff.

If one were to depend on this on board computer to guide us as to our service needs does it make sense to follow those filter instructions? I mean, I have never before heard of...
A

Thread 'Filter change to extend oci'

Does changing a oil filter help extend the life of the oil between oci. I've done a 10K interval with a 5K Toyota filter change on my 2015 Tacoma and added maybe a half of a qrt to top off. Granted I would need a uoa to see the progress but I was curious if let's say I went to 20K on the oil that would mean I've done 3 filter changes.
G

Thread 'Change oil filter only?'

This is regarding oil changes on two cars I own, one leaks oil and the other burns oil.
On the average I have to put about a quart of oil in each every 3-4 weeks. I don't have the money to repair either vehicle right now so my question is when I do oil changes should I just replace the oil filter, or should I empty out the remaining oil also?
D

Thread 'Filter changes between oil changes'

I have a new '18 Tacoma. Toyota recommends 10K oil/filter change intervals. That filter is pretty small. I am wondering if changing the filter only at 5K intervals and oil as recommended (Toyota uses full synthetic in their Gen3 Tacos) is better overall for engine life.
E

Thread 'Change oil filter without ever changing oil'

I have a 2002 Echo with 165k suburban miles on it. For 140k or so miles, I have used synthetic oil that I have changed every 6k to 7k miles without fail. Now, I am burning 1 quart every 1500 miles.

Since I go through all of my car's oil between my 6000 mile oil changes, do you think that it is okay to change only the oil filter now without doing a complete change of the oil and filter simultaneously? I am going through a full change every 6k miles anyway by topping off with clean oil monthly.
B

Thread 'oil filter replacement without oil replacement?'

well. normally i would replace both. I could not get the oil filter off with a crescent wrench around the plastic hex on the filter housing in my 2008 VW Passat FSI Turbo. I was under the car and had already removed the old oil, when i was unable to remove the filter cap to replace the filter inside. Thus i just added new oil so my wife can drive the car the next day.

Now this weekend i am buying the 16mm filter cap socket in hopes that this will break the hold on the filter cap from its housing without destroying either. However, i really don't want to drain the new oil a second time. I...
 
Mariah2323 said:
A few weeks ago, I replaced the oil in my 2012 Cruze with Dexos 1 Version 3 but used a non-GM oil filter
I've only driven 500 to 600 miles since then. Is it okay to replace only the oil filter with a GM filter without changing the oil? If yes, what is the risk of contamination?
Click to expand...
Unless you got no name filter on Alibaba for $0.05, I would say you are fine.
Which filter did you use?
 
There is no risk of contamination. The anti-drainback valve will hopefully do its job and it’s no different from the risk of a standard oil/filter change. Most oil filters will be fine and last until your next interval change. But the only issue is the tiny drop in oil level from the filter.
 
Mariah2323 said:
A few weeks ago, I replaced the oil in my 2012 Cruze with Dexos 1 Version 3 but used a non-GM oil filter
I've only driven 500 to 600 miles since then. Is it okay to replace only the oil filter with a GM filter without changing the oil? If yes, what is the risk of contamination?
Click to expand...
I would just leave the present filter in use for the duration. Use your AC filter on the next oil change. Your engine will be just fine.
 
SeaJay said:
In round figures, how much does the filter hold?
Click to expand...
Average sized car engine oil filters hold around 8 to 12 oz, plus there is oil in the gallery above the filter that may drain out too. To be safe, have a quart of make-up oil available.
 
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